Do you miss sugar?

I'm a sugar addict. A few years ago, I decided I had to get sugar out of my diet. I read a book that helped and I completely avoided sugar for a year and a half.

But the author of the book kind of set things up by saying, sugar is the friend that's always there, that you can turn to for comfort. When you eliminate sugar you're losing a friend, and you'll always mourn that friend.

I'm surprised I succeeded at all after hearing that. I did very well until I went on vacation, where different friends and relatives we visited served me dessert. I should have said no, but I was on vacation, and I thought I had my addiction licked.

The vacation lasted two weeks. By the end of it, I was hooked on sugar again. That little voice saying, "you'll always mourn your friend" may have set me up to go back to sugar. My emotions stayed tied up in it.

So, Dr. Pearsall, or anyone who's eliminated sugar for any significant length of time, do you still miss it? Is it like the friend you can't talk to anymore? Or is it the furthest thing from your mind? Is it the abuser you're happy you left?

Looking back on it, I realize I was listening to a person who considered Triscuits good nutrition. My diet then was too high in processed carbs, which I'm sure played a big role.

Yes, my will-power was at its peak when I received those truffles. But then on the two days of Christmas, I gave myself permission to have sugar. Since my husband hadn't eaten them all yet, I ended up trying one of those truffles.

The main thing I'll have to watch when I have this under control again is the type of treats I eat. White flour is my enemy. :?

Your reply has been here for a month, Dr. Winnie, and I didn't see it. I think eventually I'll have the kind of relationship with sugar that you have. The first time I eliminated it, I told myself "never again".

That's too hard to live with, and probably why I went overboard with sugar on my vacation.

This time, while I feel the need to eliminate it completely for a while, I believe I'll be able to handle having the rare treat. Especially if I make something homemade with organic brown sugar. (Or enjoy the occasional Cocoa-Cassava bar. Those are delicious.)

Also, I'm curious. Is there anything wrong with homemade ice cream? If I use raw, grass-fed cream, local farm eggs, and sweeten with stevia?

I appreciate both of your thoughts on sugar. I do not crave sugary things and really don't like things like donuts and cakes. I usually use dried fruit to sweeten things, or my favorites-sorghum syrup or honey. I really related to your thoughts, Dr. Abramson, in that you do not crave it anymore, but still enjoy it from time to time. I love to make occasional "treats" for my family, and it is good to hear you say that this is OK, when things are under control.

Speaking of control . . . I admire the place you got to with the box of truffles, TinaH. One thing I DO really enjoy is Belgium Truffles. I think I would have had to ration that out or something!

Hi Tina,
Thank you so much for sharing your musings on sugar. For me, a recovered sugar addict, I will say that while I never crave sugar anymore, I still enjoy it tremendously. I do not eat it much, and when I do it is a small portion of something homemade I make for my family made with organic sugar...saying I will never eat sugar is just unrealistic for me. I never eat processed sugary junk but I do love baking my own treats every now and then. I do not overeat sugar like I used to, and am ok with my current relationship with it. If I ever start to feel like I am craving it or am overeating it, I cut it out completely until my diet is more on track, then the cravings go away. Of course I am so very aware of all the problems with sugar but in the small amounts I use I am comfortable with it...
Dr. Winnie Abramson

When I gave up sugar for that year and a half, most sweet things began to look disgusting to me. Donuts, cupcakes--that thick frosting, yuck! Only two things kept their appeal. Chocolate and ice cream.

So I believe it's possible to eliminate sugar and not miss it. I just need to get into that mindset.

I'm nearly finished with week 3 of the program. No sugar. My cravings are gone. Certain things still look good, but already other things are starting to turn my stomach just to see them. They turn my stomach because I know how they make me feel.

I'm a writer, and I have a literary agent. Yesterday I received a small Christmas present from him. A box of truffles. Those used to be my favorites.

Last night they sounded appealing. Today, not so much. Oh, well. It was a lovely thought, and my husband will enjoy them. He isn't one bit overweight, and doesn't have a problem with occasional sugar.

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